Happy, Happy News

And somehow, an introvert allowed her extroverted friend to push her out of her comfort zone. First no sleeves, now socializing. I don’t even know who I am anymore. What’s next, sober dancing?

The great thing about Andrea, besides her charming personality, is that she is an idea person, like me. We come up with great ideas. Grand ideas, even! We just don’t execute them so much. Except for this time.

We had so much fun getting together at my house a few weeks ago. It was nice to talk to another blogger about something about which I feel so passionately. The kabillion hours I devote here are because I love it. I would love to make more money, of course, but even if coffee allowance is the most I make, I would still be here almost every day. This is the longest amount of time and energy I have ever devoted to anything by choice. I spend far more in time and money than I make, and that usually only bothers me when I pay my state bar dues in January. This has to be how Twihards feel.

(My apologies to Twihards, but you have to admit you’re a passionate bunch. It’s in the name.)

We’re doing this, Andrea and I. We’re hosting a little blogging meet-up. Emphasis on little, since our charming studio location, Salvage Life in Long Beach, can’t fit a stadium of bloggers. There is a small cover charge of one Andrew Jackson ($20) that Andrea and I will then run through the copy machine and use towards food, drinks, and much merriment. Andrea has already warned me that we aren’t feeding an army, but I am deaf to her mutterings. A party without a buckling table of food goes against everything my thighs stand for.

But I hope you do! (The party part, not the sickness part.) I would love for the two of you who live in California and read this blog to come and hang out. Because, here’s thing thing. I know most of us here are introverts and avoid social situations at all costs, but our party has built-in quiet time!

Yes! You can come be social and not even have to talk to anyone. It’s, like, my dream party. We’re asking attendees to bring everything they need to make one item they have pinned to pinterest. Something crafty, but not food related since there isn’t a kitchen. (That’s a party for another day.) It can be decor, or art, or a toy catapult. Anything, really, so long as it doesn’t damage the premises. No Cola Bombs.

Maybe one or both of you are worried you aren’t crafty enough. Have you looked at the invite? Because surely you noticed not one picture is from this blog. They’re all of Andrea and her projects. I’m not known for being crafty, and yet somehow I am co-hosting! Just pick something and see if it works. At the very least, use it as a security blanket so that when someone looks like they are going to start a conversation, you break eye contact and say, “Can’t talk now, this glue won’t stay hot forever!”

I think I’ve covered every point I would use to get out of going to a party. Will there be a wide and varied amount of food and drink? (Yes.) Do I have to talk to people? (No.) Do I have to have to pretend be good at something I’m not? (No.)

Just come. Meet other socially awkward people who over-share online, make things–hopefully make friends. At the very least, come for the presents. Tristan* is contributing some lovelies from her shop. She designed the invite (isn’t it gorgeous?!), so just imagine what she going to put in your goodie bag.

Ready to pony up and mingle? Go here to reserve your spot. No pressure, but do jump on board quickly. Space is limited, and we were lucky Beth opened up her studio on such short notice. She just had a baby a couple of days ago!

* A special thank you to Tristan for designing this for us so quickly and professionally. It makes us look fancier than we are. Who am I kidding? It makes one of us look craftier than we are! She’s worth every penny, folks. Every single penny.

** Andrea is much better at this than I am. Here is her post on the party, and she does a much better job describing how everything came to be and how much fun we’re going to have with you there.

Comments

I thought I recognized Tristan’s work–but then I wondered if I wasn’t just seeing things after visiting her blog. :)

Sounds like good time will be had by all! (I’m with Charlotte–let’s have it in London next time; wait, let’s have it in London when I have money enough to fly over and stay in 5-star accommodations . . . I’ll keep you posted . . . :)

I know this is coming from the Masters of Grand Plans That Are Never Executed, but Andrea and I would love to do these in other cities…particularly on the East Coast. My sister in-law and father in-law live there, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility.

We are sticking with extremely local, small, and a handful of bloggers on this round because it’s what we could handle and still put together spontaneously. Andrea is due to deliver a few days after the party (!!!) and it just made sense to keep things really small and simple this go round. Three weeks and an impending delivery isn’t enough leeway for us to book, organize, plan, and pay for a large party…though we have dreams. Boy, do Andrea and I have dreams.

I want to come!!! My husband just realized I am turning 55 Sunday and is panicking that he should be doing something B-I-G for it. Maybe a plane ticket to California??? :) It sounds great and I would definitely consider (that’s pretty strong for me) traveling somewhere on the East coast to meet up.

Good for you! And I so wish I could come. It’s a great idea. I recently attended a party where I knew only the hostess–and since I am definitely one of your introverts-who-hates-social-things tribe, I was more than half-dreading it. But the purpose of the party was to launch her new blog project, and the activity was to make postcards about our experiences with cancer. There was great food, a big table, and lots of scissors, markers, paper, etc. I loved it. I didn’t have to talk much, and really enjoyed listening to everyone else chatter. I got to do something artsy, which I love but rarely take the time for. Your party sounds perfect. I know it will be great and you’ll have a great time.

Sure do wish I lived in CA. Heck, anywhere in the US would be nice. Although we are thoroughly enjoying Berlin so far! :) Hope the get together is a smashing hit and I’m sure all will find it wonderful! Congrats on stepping outside the comfort zone and just going with ;)

OH HOW FUN!!! How I wish I could come. I’m not that far, but far enough (Washington state). Did I miss Discovery of Witches? What’s going on? I feel very confused. I’ll go try and find that post and leave a comment.

“Meet other socially awkward people who over-share online, make things–hopefully make friends.”
Gawd I WISH I lived in your neck of the woods! If for no other reason than to sit in a comfortable project-oriented silence with another introvert, LOL! I’ve learned that an introvert like me tends to make friends with extroverts because two introverts together on a couch run out of things to talk about QUICK! But give us a project and we’ll bond :D

Hi Jules — I plan to be there. Have been away on family vacation & just saw this now. I don’t really craft and am horrible, horrible at getting-to-know-you small talk, but I’ll be there. Stomach ache, looming migraine, stress-caused canker sores & all. :-)

I was ALL SET to jump on this and then noticed it was in Long Beach rather than the Inland Empire. Driving from San Diego to LA after work on a Friday afternoon at rush hour? Not going to happen. I would get there at 8pm anyway. This is a great idea for an introvert blogger get together, though. Next time I’ll be there when you have it at your house ;-)

Dear Jules…..this is one of those times when I wish I didn’t live so far away…in PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA…! Plus the fact that I don’t have my own blog, although I’d really LOVE to know how to create one for myself. I don’t have close contact with anyone here who is as into reading blogs as much as I am. (Maybe that just means that I spend too much time browsing on my computer..?)
Or maybe I’m too old now to try and start something new.
If it was possible to join you there I’d be with you, but as I can’t be, do have lots of fun and then tell us all about it later. Cheers, Nadia

If you want to venture to the wilds of Montana, I could hook you up with a place on a lake. Not fancy, but tons of fun, where girls could craft away the night. And maybe engage in (non)sober dancing. Ahem.